BKFC 6 live blog: Malignaggi vs. Lobov
This is the BKFC 6 live blog for Paulie Malignaggi vs. Artem Lobov, a bare-knuckle bout at Saturday’s BKFC event at Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa, Florida.
Malignaggi, a former two-division boxing champion making his bare-knuckle debut, faces Lobov, a veteran MMA fighter who won his BKFC debut against Jason Knight in April, in the main event.
Check out the BKFC 6 live blog below.
Lobov out first. He’s waiting in the ring for Malignaggi.
Malignaggi walks out and is greeted with some boos. He’s wearing a “Magic Man” robe with an Orlando Magic-esque design.
Malignaggi pacing around in his corner. Lobov standing still, looking stone calm. His expression has literally not changed since entering the ring.
Round 1: Malignaggi taking the center of the ring, but it’s Lobov who fires some punches first. Malignaggi is looking to counter. He doesn’t look comfortable when Lobov ties him up for some dirty boxing. Malignaggi with a right hand to the body. Malignaggi ducks a pair of Lobov punches and lands one of his own. Lobov with a right hand that glances Malignaggi’s jaw. The headhunting is not paying off for Lobov. Malignaggi lands a left to close out the first round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Malignaggi.
Round 2: They exchange body shots. Malignaggi starting to find a home for his jab. A right hand to the body by Malignaggi. He’s slipping Lobov’s power shots. Lobov looking to score with body shots of his own. Short combination by Lobov is evaded by Malignaggi. Malignaggi moving well, but not throwing much.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Malignaggi. Overall, 20-18 Malignaggi.
Round 3: Lobov pushing forward without much success. Malignaggi doing just enough with his jab to stay ahead. A charging Lobov stumbles after his head is pushed by a Malignaggi left hand, it’s ruled a slip. Lobov ramping up the aggression, though he remains mostly ineffective. Stance switch by Lobov. Good right left hand on the chin has Malignaggi at least reacting like he felt it. That jab is just cutting Lobov up though and he’s bleeding around the left eye.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Malignaggi. Overall, 30-27 Malignaggi.
Round 4: Malignaggi’s feints causing Lobov to hesitate. Nice left hook to the body and then a right hand up top by Lobov. He’s flurrying now, landing punches in the clinch. There’s blood on Malignaggi’s face too. Lobov lands an off-balance right hook. Malignaggi still trusting his jab. Lobov throwing hooks but he walks right into a thudding jab.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Lobov. Overall, 39-37 Malignaggi.
Round 5: They touch hands before the final round. Lobov still playing the bull, Malignaggi the matador with his quick jab. He’s staying just out of the reach of Lobov’s power. A solid body shot has Malignaggi taking a step back. Another one lands and Malignaggi ties Lobov up. Malignaggi trying to get loose, but he doesn’t actually throw anything. The story of this round and the fight has been Malignaggi’s jab. Lobov chasing, Malignaggi happy to stay light on his feet and avoid an exchange. They show each other respect after.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Malignaggi. Overall, 49-46 Malignaggi.
Official result: Artem Lobov def. Paulie Malignaggi via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)